Oklahoma high school soccer: Santa Fe South, Heritage Hall chase state champion 3-peats
Santa Fe South has established itself as a dynamo in Oklahoma high school boys soccer.
The Saints have won 16 district titles over the school’s 23 years of existence. Next, they’re pursuing a bigger goal: a state championship three-peat.
With a perfect district record, the Saints (14-1) have posted 11 shutouts and given up only five total goals this year. They host Carl Albert to kick off Class 5A state tournament play at 7 p.m. Monday, and they aren’t the only Oklahoma high school program chasing a three-peat.
Heritage Hall girls soccer is also seeking its third straight state title. After going back to back in Class 3A, the Chargers have bumped up to 4A, finishing the regular season as district champions. Heritage Hall hosts Oklahoma Christian School at 6 p.m. Tuesday to open state tournament play.
All finalists will compete in Oklahoma City’s Taft Stadium unless two East-side teams meet in a championship game. If that happens, Tulsa University will host that specific match.
Here’s a look at more storylines and players to watch in the state soccer tournaments, which are set to conclude May 10-11:
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Casady makes strong OSSAA debut
Casady is a newcomer to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, but that hasn’t been a problem.
After competing independently, the Oklahoma City private school has had a smooth transition to Class 3A competition in boys and girls soccer. Casady’s boys and girls each went 11-1 during the regular season with district titles, and the girls were the sole program to upset Heritage Hall this year.
Next, the Cyclones will make their state tournament debut. The Casady girls meet Christian Heritage at 6 p.m. Tuesday at home, and the boys follow with an 8 p.m. match against the same opponent.
Most intriguing first-round matchups
Girls soccer: Piedmont at Bishop McGuinness in Class 6A
Piedmont and Bishop McGuinness can’t get away from each other.
In 2022, the Fighting Irish slipped past the Wildcats for a Class 5A state title. Then Piedmont avenged that loss in last year’s state finals rematch.
In a higher classification, the familiar foes meet again. McGuinness hosts Piedmont in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Boys soccer: Edmond Memorial at Edmond Santa Fe in Class 6A
Edlam rivalries are heightened when they have state tournament implications.
Edmond Memorial rolled past Edmond Santa Fe, 3-0, in the regular season, but can the Bulldogs pull off a second win? The Wolves have one of the state’s best goalkeepers in senior Matt Hepner. But the Bulldogs’ offense is powerful with senior Roman Hemphill, who is up to 67 career goals.
Edmond Santa Fe hosts Edmond Memorial at 7 p.m. Monday.
OKC-area boys players to watch
Tucker Austin, Jr., Heritage Hall: Austin scored two goals in last year’s state finals. This season, he has 18 goals and four assists.
Pascual Bautista, Sr., Santa Fe South: Any of Santa Fe South’s starters could appear on this list, but Bautista is a key senior leader. He enters the state tournament with five goals and 10 assists.
Eli Berry, Sr., Deer Creek: A senior captain, Berry has 50 career goals and 37 assists. The Tulsa signee helped the Antlers end the regular season on a seven-match win streak.
Xaiden Easter, Jr., Classen SAS: A team captain, Easter has boosted the Comets with 21 goals and five assists.
Alex Gutierrez, So., Crooked Oak: Gutierrez is Crooked Oak’s leading scorer as the program strives for its fourth straight state finals appearance.
Aiden Hale, So., Mustang: Hale has built on his breakout freshman season with 10 goals and six assists this year.
Roman Hemphill, Sr., Edmond Memorial: Hemphill, an Oral Roberts signee, is a prolific scorer with 67 career goals.
Matt Hepner, Sr., Edmond Santa Fe: Hepner has six clean sheets and 22 saves this season.
Aiden Jordan, Jr., Mustang: Mustang has 12 scorers this season, and the leaders are both named Aiden. Jordan has 12 goals and six assists.
Kaden Laisle, Jr., Crossings Christian: Laisle stars for the Knights with 26 goals and nine assists.
Jose Romero, Jr., Southeast: Romero notched 14 goals and 12 assists on the way to the Spartans’ district championship.
Francisco Salazar, Jr., Santa Fe South: Salazar has 14 goals and two assists this season. He scored the Saints’ first goal in the state finals against Tulsa East Central last year.
OKC-area girls players to watch
Yohonna Bell, Jr., Heritage Hall: Bell stays busy in the spring as a soccer standout and track star. She has 13 goals and nine assists.
Presley Boyd, Jr., Norman North: Boyd enters the state tournament with 22 goals and 11 assists.
Elle Canty, Jr., Community Christian: Canty, an OU commit, was a finalist for The Oklahoman’s All-City Player of the Year award as a sophomore.
Katerina Chrysant, Sr., Heritage Hall: Chrysant leads the Chargers with 17 goals while adding five assists.
Marlee Fort, Sr., Yukon: An Oral Roberts signee, Fort has 21 goals and 13 assists.
Narissa Fults, Sr., Norman North: An Arizona signee, Fults is the reigning Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year. She also received The Oklahoman’s All-City Player of the Year award as a junior.
Jordan Hahn, Sr., Piedmont: Hahn scored the golden goal in the Class 5A state finals as a junior, earning her spot as a finalist for The Oklahoman’s All-City Player of the Year award last year.
Kamden Hawkins, Jr., Carl Albert: Hawkins has helped the Titans go undefeated through the regular season. Most recently, she scored against El Reno as the Titans secured a district title.
Katie Johnston, Jr., McGuinness: Johnston has led the Fighting Irish to a winning record in their Class 6A debut.
Rylee McLanahan, So., Edmond North: A two-time all-district player, McClanahan has poured in 26 goals and nine assists through nine matches.
Hannah Montoya, Sr., Southmoore: A Dallas Baptist signee, Montoya has 15 goals and seven assists.
Alix Regier, Sr., Yukon: The Kansas State signee leads the Millers with 27 goals and 23 assists.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school soccer: Storylines, players to watch at state
